Young carers: Guidance for education staff

What a young carer is

A young or young adult carer is anybody under the age of 25 who provides care to someone.

The person they are caring for could be a parent, sibling, grandparent or other family member who:

  • is disabled
  • has a chronic illness
  • has a mental health problem
  • has a substance misuse problem
  • has a condition that they need care, support or supervision for

Types of care

This care might involve helping somebody with:

  • getting dressed and washed
  • housework, shopping and other everyday tasks
  • collecting and giving medication
  • communicating with others
  • emotional support